In The Loop

In the Loop

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BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

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Poet Paul Farley goes walking in circles to ask why human beings find them so symbolic.

Poet Paul Farley goes walking in circles to ask why human beings find loops and rings so significant and symbolic.

...a circle has no beginning and no end. It represents rebirth and regeneration, continuity and infinity. From wedding rings to stone circles, in poetry, music and the trajectories of the planets themselves, circles and loops are embedded in our imaginations.

In this five-part series poet Paul Farley goes walking in circles in five very different 'loopy' locations. He visits a traffic roundabout, a rollercoaster and a particle accelerator to asks why human beings find rings and circles so symbolic, significant and satisfying. 

The earliest civilisations were drawn to the idea of closing a circle and creating a loop; in human relationships we'd all rather be within the circle of trust; and in arts and music our eyes, ears and minds are inexorably drawn towards - and rebel against - the 'strange loops' of Bach, Gödel and Escher.

As he puts himself in the loop - sometimes at the centre and sometimes on the circumference - 
Paul has circular conversations with mathematicians and physicists, composers and poets. Each one propels him into a new loop of enquiry. And that's because a circle has no beginning and no end...

BBC Radio 4 LW

In the Loop: 5. Particle Accelerator

5. Particle Accelerator

BBC Radio 4 - In the Loop, 5. Particle Accelerator

Paul Farley’s circular journey brings him to the Large Hadron Collider

Poet Paul Farley explores the significance of circles and loops. He completes his journey at the Large Hadron Collider, the circle which is unlocking the secrets of the Universe

…a circle has no beginning and no end. It represents rebirth and regeneration, continuity and infinity. From wedding rings to stone circles, in poetry, music and the trajectories of the planets themselves, circles and loops are embedded in our imaginations.

In this five-part series poet Paul Farley goes walking in circles in five very different ‘loopy’ locations. He visits a stone circle, a roundabout and a rollercoaster to ask why human beings find rings and circles so symbolic, significant and satisfying. 

Paul has circular conversations with mathematicians and physicists, composers and poets, each one propelling him into a new loop of enquiry. And that’s because a circle has no beginning and no end…

Paul's final circle is 27 kilometres in circumference and lies deep beneath the Swiss/French border. The Large Hadron Collider is a ring of supercooled magnets which accelerates subatomic particles to unimaginable speeds and smashes them together. Melissa Yexley and Simon Albright from CERN are Paul’s guide to an extraordinary loop which is revealing the secrets of the Universe. Physicist Paddy Regan explains the cosmic forces which keep our planet locked in orbit around the Sun. And we close the loop with dance teacher Karen Michaelsen as we explore the power of linking hands and dancing in circles.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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In the Loop

5. Particle Accelerator

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